E430 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



DDDD5D53aaT 









V' 



0'" * "Z, 







v^^ 



A 



< 








s:5°^ 




■y 



■' -Til 












^^ 



¥ 










0^ 




« 




-^ 




» ■ 


■'^^ 


'-^^ 


''•^ 











.fi 



^^. 













0^ ' " • » *© . 



^°-n^. 



1- 






<^^ 



^^^c^•!^ 



o 



•^'-^-v 



. f^ .^ .'. ^. .-e,^ .»^^^. 



> 



<?■> 



^SSSi5S:^5SS!^^Se2«^^K5^Sm^a»^.^|K^i^^3 



ADDRESS 



'J 

JOHN W, FOMEY, OF PENNSYLVANIA, P 



IHE GREAT DEMOCRATIC JUBILEE, 



IN HONOR OF THE 



ELECTION OF PIERCE AND KING, 



AT THE CITY OF WASHIIS^GTO:^', 



NOVEMBER 11, 1852. 




a 



M 



WASHINGTON: 

PRINTED BY LEMUEL TOVTi^RS. 



u 



J 2-'. 






ADDRESS 



JOim W. FOMEY, OF PEMSYLVANIA, 



THE GREAT DEMOCRATIC JUBILEE, 



IN HONOR OF THE 



ELECTION OF PIERCE AND KING, 











AT THE CITY OF WASHINGTOlf, 



NOVEMBER H, 185S. 




WASHINGTON: 

FRINTED BY LEMUEL TOWERS. 
1852. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



Washington, November 12, 1852. 
Mr Deak Sik : I have been instructed by the Jackson Democratic Associa- 
tion to return you the thanks of the Democracy of this City for your eloquent 
and masterly Address deHvered on the evening of the 11th inst., on the occasion 
of the Grand Democratic Jubilee, in honor of the election of Franklin Pierce 
and Wm. K. King, and to request of you the favor of a copy of the same for 

publication. 

With great respect, your friend, 

J. D. HOOVER, 
President Jackson Democratic Association. 
Col. Jno. W. Fohnet. 



Washington, November 13, 1852. 
Mt Dear Sir : If my brief Address has any merit, you are quite at liberty to 
use it as you please. It is so easy to rejoice over a victory like ours, that every 
word in praise of it is only the echo of the popular heart. 

Very truly, yours, 

JNO. W. FORNEY. 
J. D. Hoover, Esq. 



A D D E E S S . 



Before tlie battle of Wagram, to the lieroic Marshal 
Macclonald was confided the perilous duty of charging 
the Austrian centre. Burnino^ to vindicate himself 
from the displeasure of his chief, he hurled his division 
of fifteen thousand men against the living rampart of 
the foe; and although he fought his way through a 
dense mass of eighty thousand assailants, and escaped 
with but fifteen hundred of the gallant band that had 
followed him into the red throat of battle, yet after the 
fight was over, and the triumj^h won, on an adjacent 
height might be seen the colors of Macdonald, no longer 
clad in sables and in sorrow, floating proudly in the 
breeze. 

We, who fell with our flag and our faith four years 
ago, may trace the comparison which this incident sug- 
gests, now that we have vindicated ourselves by the 
crowning victory you meet this evening to commemo- 
rate. We fought against confident and extended com- 
binations ; and although we have lost no lives in the con- 
flict, and have emerged from it with increased anima- 
tion and energy, yet have we overwhelmed our adversa- 
ries, and rescued the country from those who have 
proved by their own works that they are unequal to, 
or unworthy of, the great trust thrown into their hands 
in a moment of mistaken but patriotic enthusiasm. 



ADDRESS OF 



We do not assemble to celebrate tlie triumpli of 
good princijiles in tlie spirit that exults over our fellow- 
citizens now in the minority. The grandeur of this 
triumph, its majesty, its comprehensiveness, its com- 
pleteness, attest that you have been victorious in a good 
cause. Those who have gone down in the struggle can 
now contemplate the meagre proportions of their own 
creed, and, at their leisure, amend its manifest deficien- 
cies. We do not rejoice over them, while we thank God 
that we have defeated their designs. In this age truth 
has too fair and too wide a field to make the downfall 
of error a wonder ; and in this republic the best evi- 
dences of the justice of Democratic principles are the in- 
creasing benefits they confer uj^on the people. Pride of 
opinion often retains men in the wrong when conscience 
and conviction tell them that they ought to avow their 
mistakes ; but our countrymen, as a mass, no more de- 
sire to deny the success of any broad and genial policy, 
which proves its beneficence by its fruits, than they 
would desire to deny the sun himself while standing in 
the effulgence of his glorious beams. When an honest 
man, who calls himself a Whig, sees what he has believed 
to be the destructive dogmas of the Democracy, reflect- 
ing glory upon the American name, and prosperity 
upon the American people, he does not grope for proofs 
that he is deluded by a vain show, but stands up and 
admits that whicli it Avould dishonor him to dispute. 
And when tljrs same man finds his own high hopes in the 
ability of Whig measures turning to dust and ashes in 
his hands, his heart yields to the truth which his judg- 



ME. FORNEY. 



ment cannot resist. We rejoice over no sucli citizens. 
We rejoice tlie rather that the Whig party of yester- 
day contains so many. 

No, fellow-citizens ! we commemorate the event of 
the second of November not because a certain party 
was defeated, but because eternal principles have pre- 
vailed. We rejoice not over any portion of our coun- 
trymen, but for all our country. We rejoice that the 
great principles which have so often been our safe- 
guards in our onward career, and which have so often 
protected us from the consequences of pernicious doc- 
trines, are once more to be applied in the administra- 
tion of this Government. 

Gentlemen, yon who have read the gorgeous tale of 
Monte-Cristo, and remember his surprise when his store 
of gold and jewels was opened to his eyes, may realize 
the difficulty he experienced in selecting that which 
was most valuable and rare. In looking over the his- 
tory of the last contest for the Presidency, whom shall 
we distinguish for applause where all have done so 
well? I might, with the natural love of home, ask 
your voices for old Pennsylvania, who aided so gallantly 
in the van of the conflict ; but when we remember the 
blaze of a nation's victory as it illuminated the whole 
land, it would be unjust and invidious to discriminate. 
The North answered to the East — the South to the 
West. Startled by one great majority, hardly had the 
shouts that greeted it died away, ere the telegraph 
flashed another before our eyes ! When the earliest in- 
telligence of our success came to my ears I was in Phila- 



ADDRESS OF 



^^. 



delpliia. The first voice of triumpli was answered by the 
echoes of rival achievements from every corner of the 
hind ; and the thunders of the masses responded to the 
welcome lansfuai^e of the li^-htnins: — 

"Not from one lone cloud, 
But every mountain now had found a tongue, 
And Jura answered through her misty shroud, C" 

Back to the joyous Alps, who called to her aloud."' \^\''~ 

Let ns not pause upon the circumstances which gave ^ - 
us this great \dctory ; but it is due to truth to say that 
we have won no advantage by concealment or by cal- 
umny. A French statesman said, when reminded that ^ 
he had esj^oused an unpopular cause," I have placed i^iy 
Ijark upon the highest promontory, and I fearless!}' 
await the rising waves of public opinion to float it off.H ^~ 
The great element of nationality, which recently mar- \ 
shaled us to such crowning success, Avon its Avay over 
a thousand obstacles. At first it was advocated in the ^ 
midst of minority and misre23resentation. For a sea- "^ 
son it was almost lost amid the waves of fanaticism. 
More than one gallant spirit in the North fell in defence 
of it. But it was not cravenly deserted. While sucli 
men as Fkanklii^ Pierce in the Free States held up the 
standard, like a star in a stormy sky, whose occasional i 
gleams showed that hope and patriotism still survived, 
tlie Constitution did not want for friends. Public 
opinion, startled at first by the efibrts of sectional 
infiuences, soon rose to the emergency. Tranquility 
came after discord and danger; and those who had 
Ijeen brave and bold enough to stand by the right 



JIE. FORNEY. 



were vindicated. Tlie great seal of tlie popular decree 
was imposingly affixed to the compromise measures in 
tlie election just closed; and the national element, once 
scouted and scorned, is now acknowledged as the sen- 
timent of a vast majority of our countrymen. But the 
past teaches other lessons. The record that preserves 
the history of the campaign so far as the Democrats are 
concerned, is stained by no fraud, blackened by no 
falsehood, dishonoi-ed by no slander. We spoke no 
two languages on any question. A\Tiat was printed 
under authority for one region could be used in all. 
The same principles were advocated all over the coun- 
try, and no man voted in the dark. Every issue was 
faithfully met — every argument frankly discussed. 
We may look back upon this feature of the canvass 
without a blush, and the champions of our cause, 
whether the toilers at the editorial desk, or the orators 
on the hustings, may triumphantly solicit all just crit- 
icism of their conduct. Parties and partisans may learn 
this lesson — that now, when the glare of availability 
has faded, and the flowers of rhetoric have withered, 
the surest way to the confidence of a great people is to 
deal with them like intelligent and intrepid freemen. 

It is a suggestive coincidence that the equestrian 
statue of Andeew Jackson will be elevated two brief 
months before Franklin Pierce takes his seat as Presi- 
dent. It is well that the restoration of the Democracy 
to National Power should be thus inaugurated. It is 
well that the new Administration should be reminded 
of the duties before it by such a ceremonial. Man 



10 ADDRESS OF 



among men ! Patriot witliout guile ! Warrior with- 
out pretension! Democrat without selfishness ! Let 
us recall thy proud example to guide and guard the ad- 
ministration of thy follower and thy friend! The 
masses never deserted thee. You rose from their 
midst, and as, step by step, you ascended to the highest 
honors, their hearts beat for you, their hands were 
raised to you, their votes vindicated you. Among the 
granite mountains of the East there is a citizen who has 
been chosen to conduct the nation in the path you laid 
down. It is a common compliment to speak of politi- 
cians of the Jackson school ; but Franklin Pierce has 
illustrated the annals of his State and of the nation by 
proofs of his indomitable firmness and unquenchable 
enthusiasm as a supporter of this memorable school. 
No follower he of the passions of the hour — no eager 
echo he of local fanaticisms ; but a man whose charac- 
ter, cast in no cold or contracted mould, has fitted him 
for those conflicts which demand the wisdom of a s^reat 
statesman and the courage of a great hero. When 
Jackson died he left a nation in tears ; but his great 
example will live forever — 

" They never fall who die 
In a good cause ; the block may soak their gore ; 
Their heads may sodden in the sun ; their limbs 
Be strung to city gates and castle walls — 
But still their spirit walks abroad. Though years 
Elapse, and others share as dark a doom, 
They but augment the deep and sweeping thoughts 
Which overpower all others, and conduct 
The world ;it last to freedom." 



ME. FOENET. 11 



Tlie country requires a Democratic Administration. 
Its great interests, present and future, demand tlie 
guardianship of tlie friends of tlie Constitution. Let 
us not be afraid to say it — its wonderful progress can 
alone be sustained and made perfect tlirougli future 
ages by the progressive party. While population rolls 
its mighty wave over the expanses of the West — while 
myriads of hard hands and brave hearts daily seek 
shelter under the folds of our luminous banner — new 
Territories are added to our domain as if to provide for 
the new generations which are hereafter to occupy 
them. Even since the foundations of yonder monument 
to the Father of his Country were laid deep in the soil, 
a great Commonwealth has been wedded to the Union, 
rivalling all the fabled stories of Eastern wealth, and 
outdazzling the marvels even of this age of marvels, in 
its rapid march to greatness, and its magic accession to 
the blessings and benefits of civilization and law. Be- 
fore the majestic structure now rising in the east shall 
be completed, (the extension of the Capitol,) where 
future statesmen will contend, let us hope, for a repub- 
lic which shall cover every foot of this continent, other 
States may be added to this Union, and other Territo- 
ries gathered to the protecting embrace of our free in- 
stitutions. 

If that historic hero, now sleeping among the shades 
of the Hermitage, could reappear upon that stage 
where, for many long years, he was the conspicuous 
ideal of disinterested patriotism, he would: join with 
you in the imposing festivities by which you hail the 



12 ADDRESS OF 



election of Franklin Pierce. But cbiefly would he re- 
joice Lecause that result was due to a people whose 
achievements in arts, in arms, and in every avocation 
which elevates character and country, have made them 
the political miracle of our time. AVho so fitted to ad- 
minister our laws as those wlio have championed the 
Constitution ? Who so fitted to govern as those who 
have achieved the noblest triumphs of legislation? 
Who so deserving of power as those who have never 
abused it ? Who so prepared for the responsibilities 
of the State as those who have stood by the State in 
the storm and in the sunshine, in the battle and in the 
breeze ? Above all, who are so well armed for future 
emergencies growing out of new issues as those wlio 
never faltered in the darkest crisis — who never failed 
in the direst pei'Il ^ The Democratic party is that 
party which has contended that our Territories might 
advance, and advance, and yet that they could not out- 
march the guiding radiance of our flag, nor stray from 
the protecting shelter of our Constitution. Who so 
well prepared and so well schooled to control the ship 
of State through all the trials consequent upon the en- 
larging grandeur of our country, as the great ])arty 
which conceived and carried the purchase of Louisiana, 
the annexation of Texas, and the acquisition of Califor- 
nia? Let not those who anticipate bad results from 
the rule of Franklin Pierce misunderstand the idea of 
American j^rogress as typified in the wise and benefi- 
cent policy of the Democratic j^arty. It is neither fji- 
uaticism nor fear. It is caution, but not cowardice. It 



ME. FOENEY. 13 



avoids war by sliowing its disregard of war when the 
nation's lionor is involved. Its history shows that the 
best way to conquer and to consummate peace is boldly 
to confront peril. The progress of the Democratic 
party, as manifested from the beginning, is the truest 
conservatism. Those who predict otherwise at present 
no less foolishly forget the past than they blindly 
tremble at the future. 

And now, fellow-citizens, let your bon-fires blaze ; let 
your torches glare ; let your shouts be raised ; and " let 
the cannon to the trumpet speak." But as you pass 
through this lovely city, as your joyous line illuminates 
its broad streets and stately avenues — as Jeffeeson* 
from the w^est, standing like a sleepless warder at the 
doors of the Presidential mansion, points you to the 
chart he laid down for your guidance, and as Washing- 
TONf from the east, like a deity enthroned in the 
grounds of the Capitol, seems to invoke new blessings 
upon the republic he served and saved — do not forget 
that the victory you have won is the victory of a Con- 
stitution which can only be preserved by the virtue 
and the vigilance of the American people. 



* The Statue of Jefferson stands fronting the White House. 

f The Statue of Washington is on the East square of the Capitol. 



W46 






"^^ c!>' 



> *: 






. -^ A^ ♦ 



^^^ 






^.*' A 





"-^^ .'^■^^ 







>° ^_^^ 







♦ o 



' ^0 






^^ '•.^ 







V-5 



•• ' • - *<^- 









••o V' 





•. ■ V 










■^'\. 









^•l^Xv 









<}5^,<. 










